Resident Evil: ORC -> Thief 4

Set during the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (released in 1998 and 1999), Capcom's latest addition returns fans to the zombie-filled Raccoon City. Players will experience the main story as one of six playable Umbrella Security Service (USS) agents, whereas multiplayer will pit the USS versus US Special Forces (Spec Ops) and includes some familiar names such as Leon S. Kennedy and half a dozen others. Separately, Resident Evil 6 has been announced for late 2012, though a PC version might not arrive this year.

Despite rumors about its demise (and some confusing messages from the studio), GSC Game World confirmed on December 23 that it would continue developing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Like many other titles we hope to see this year, few details have been provided about the sequel. So far, we know it's being made with a new in-house multiplatform engine, it'll have a fresh story and characters, it'll be set in the "triangle of CNPP" and it'll feature DirectX 11 graphics with PC being the focal point. (Slideshow of leaked concept art below.)

The second chapter of StarCraft II will focus on Sarah Kerrigan (aka "Queen of Blades"), a former Terran agent infested and mutated into a powerful human/Zerg hybrid. Along with advancing the single player story, Heart of the Swarm will introduce eight new multiplayer units while removing three. Terran gain the Shredder, Battle Hellion and Warhound, Zerg gets the Viper and Swarm Host, and Protoss receives the Repllicant, Oracle and Tempest. The Zerg Overseer as well as the Protoss Mothership and Carrier will be removed.

Set in 2069 when mega-corporations ("syndicates") have supplanted governments and populations have accepted a neural chip implant, players control EuroCorp prototype agent Miles Kilo as he embarks on "a brutal action adventure of corruption and revenge." Syndicate seems to resemble Deus Ex: Human Revolution in terms of style and gameplay, emphasizing cyberpunk themes and biomechanical augmentations. This has angered fans of the original games, which were isometric tactical shooters, not first-person shooters.

Thief 4

Release date: TBA 2012 | Genre(s): Stealth, crime | Also on: Unknown

As with Half-Life 2: Episode Three, we know virtually nothing about Thief 4 (stylized Thi4f) except that it's in production at Eidos-Montreal, the same studio behind last year's Deus Ex: Human Revolution. The game was announced with a teaser on May 11, 2009, at which time the developer said the title was in early development and an "incredibly ambitious project." During an interview for Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the company confirmed that its "AAA title" that "begins with the letter 'T'" would appear "over the next year."